Games were contested on the Sherbert driveway with a portable
hoop. There was always the usual pushing and shoving that comes
from a family affair.

"We never called fouls," recalled the younger sister, Katie, now
a junior forward at Great Oak. "So we ended up beating each other
up."

Katie's opponent and sister, Lindsay, possessed the kind of size
and skill not seen everyday.

"Playing one on one with Lindsay was always a challenge," Katie
said. "She's the best player I've ever gone up against."

"Our one-on-one games were always a great time," said Lindsay, a
three-time Southwestern League MVP with the Wolfpack and a
McDonald's All-American selection as a senior two years ago. "I
never took it easy on her, but she never complained."

These front yard battles may have given Katie a few bumps and
bruises. But they also left a more lasting mark.

"When she'd make a move that I couldn't stop, I'd have her teach
me how to do it," Katie recalled. "She would always stop and teach
me how to do a new move and I always learned a lot."

Lindsay may have schooled her younger sister on the home court,
but she also taught her some invaluable lessons.

"We never really kept score and we'd play until we were both
completely worn out," Katie said. "She would show me how to pull
back and set my feet and get a quick shot off.

"I believe that I've become a good shooter by having to keep up
with her in those games. I always wanted to beat her."

The younger Sherbert has become a quick study. Katie scored 27
points-including six 3-point baskets-in Great Oak's win over
Twentynine Palms last week.

Following in the footsteps of a local basketball phenom can
create an inner burden at times. But Katie was encouraged early on
to forge her own unique path.

"I told her when she was a freshman that she needed to just be
herself," said Great Oak coach Shannon Maurice. "She has done a
great job of just being herself on and off the floor."

Katie is doing her best to perfect her mentor's most dangerous
offensive weapon ---- the outside shot.

"She can outshoot me any day," admitted Lindsay, now a 6-foot
sophomore starting forward at Cal. "The kid can really shoot, and
has stepped up on her high school team to become a well-rounded
player and leader."

Defenders beware: If Katie is given an inch, she will pull the
trigger.

"I have developed my own identity on the court by being a
threat," Sherbert said. "I love to shoot, and I won't hesitate to
do so.

"Making a long-range shot does get me really pumped in games.
Once I hit a shot, my adrenaline starts racing, and I can go from
feeling completely exhausted, to having a sudden burst of
energy."

She hopes to inject plenty of vigor on her teammates. The
Wolfpack will look to improve on last year's 16-8 record, including
making a run at the league title.

"Katie is leading through her work on the floor. But one change
for her this year is her verbal leadership," Maurice said. "She
didn't have that role last year, but recognized she needs to have
that this year."

She also works hard off the floor. Sherbert sports a 4.0 grade
point average.

"Not only is she valuable to the program on the floor, but she
is also the example of what the Great Oak girls' basketball program
is," Maurice said. "We always strive to succeed in the classroom
and on the court."

Lindsay will get a chance to see her star pupil when she visits
later this month.

And since the hoop still sits in the driveway, a rematch may be
in order.

"Katie always put up a fight, and impressed me every time,"
Lindsay said. "She got better and better as we kept playing."